I loved bouncy castles as a child.
But I remember feeling a little nervous before I got on. The slightly awkward climb, the unpredictability of the surface beneath your feet, that moment of not quite being in control. And then the laughter, the silliness, the freedom of movement that followed.
This week, our PTA organised an Easter fair and, along with it, a bouncy castle. In a strange and unintentional way, it feels like a metaphor for how I feel working in SEND and trying to make inclusion work.
There is joy in it, real joy. But it is also mixed with something else. A sense of unpredictability. A sense of not quite being in control. At times, a real undercurrent of fear.
We are being bounced around by promises, by constant change, by talk of new funding, and by growing pressure.
There is the anticipation, the sense that something is coming. The hope around the White Paper, that things might improve, that support might increase, that the system might begin to match the reality in our schools. Then there is the moment of landing.
The disappointment that there is very little new funding. That expectations will continue to rise. That accountability will tighten. We are still being asked to include more, support more, hold more.
The bouncy castle was, of course, hugely popular with the children.
By the end of the day, the adults were very ready for it to be deflated. It had been fun, but we were tired. And that will feel familiar to plenty of people working in schools.
There is a lot we cannot resolve on our own. But having someone to think things through with can help us see what is possible, where to focus our energy and what to do next.
That’s part of what I offer: space to talk honestly, work through a challenge and find a practical way forward. If that would help you or your school, let’s start with a conversation.